Baltimore remained 1 1/2 games back of the Yankees after New York won earlier in the day.

Nate McLouth opened the bottom of the first with a homer tonight, but it was then quiet until the fifth. That frame saw Jim Thome, Machado and Davis all leave the yard, giving the Orioles a 6-2 lead. After that, the team added another two-run homer each inning: Mark Reynolds in the sixth, Davis in the seventh and Machado in the eighth. Of course, they didn’t need a ninth.

It was the third time in Orioles history that the team has hit seven homers. The first was on May 17, 1967 against the Red Sox. Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Davey Johnson were among the seven who homered that day. The other time was on Aug. 26, 1985 against the Angels. Eddie Murray hit three homers and drove in nine in that one.

Blash, 28, was acquired by the Yankees from the Padres back in December in the Chase Headley trade. In trading Blash to the Angels, the Yankees were able to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Brandon Drury, the infielder they acquired as part of a three-team trade with the Diamondbacks and Rays on Tuesday.

Over parts of two seasons in the majors, Blash has hit an underwhelming .200/.323/.336 in 279 plate appearances. He will try to play his way into a bench role for the Angels this spring.